Did Anyone Catch Temple Grandin on HBO?

[3] The movie premiere to
Temple Grandin[4] on HBO was Feb. 6, 2010. I know the agriculture community has been anxiously anticipating the release of this movie about the captivating and motivational individual, Temple Grandin. Unfortunately, I don't get HBO, and I was wondering if anyone caught the film. If so, what were your thoughts? How do you think the general public perceived this film? Read on for a brief glimpse at media reviews and critiques of this movie, as well as a video clip from the movie.

Not for nothing is "Temple Grandin" a more enlightened slaughterhouse movie than the ones Hollywood has made before, movies that usually make you want to turn vegan. Temple, who teaches at Colorado State University, is no traditional animal rights activist; she designs better slaughterhouses because it makes sense. "We raise them for us. That means we owe them our respect," she says. -Hank Stuever, Washington Post[5]

Claire Danes is revelatory as Temple Grandin animal behaviorist, best-selling author, autistic and expert in autism. This is a fascinating movie and I learned so much about this woman and about autism. Temple did not speak until she was four and if not for her mother would have probably ended up spending her life in an institution. What a loss that would have been. I was riveted in many ways by the film especially the scenes about how Grandin related to animals, especially cows. I couldn't believe it when I learned that she has designed over 50% cattle slaughterhouses in the country and they are all designed to promote humane treatment of the animals. -Melissa Silverstein, The Huffington Post[6]

Whatever reluctance you might have to watch a two-hour movie on autism will vanish as Claire Danes draws you into the character of Temple Grandin. Danes' Grandin, a real-life autistic woman now in her 60s, isn't always easy to watch. But that's part of what sets "Temple Grandin" apart from many movies and documentaries on issues like autism. Not for a second does Danes get sentimental or permit the viewer to feel sorry for Temple. As her mother says, she is "different but not less." -David Hinckley, New York Daily News[7]

BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Did you catch my interview with Temple Grandin this past summer? I had a brief conversation with her over lunch about cattle handling, animal welfare and her thoughts on the movie and Claire Danes. Check it out here[9].